I am elated to report that all ten “ducklings” on the dorm plaza have taken wing and flown away. As we predicted from the condition of their feathers, they would be ready to leave last week—and, indeed, they made their egress over that week.
Last Monday: Nine ducklings (one had left over the preceding weekend)
Last Wednesday: Seven ducklings (two more left)
Last Friday: Four ducklings (three more left)
This morning: Zero ducklings and no mom (last four left)
Here is the very first shot (iPhone camera) I took of Marie and her brood; it was June 23, and they were only a couple of days old. All ten are crowded into their tiny pool (we immediately got larger ones). Food is on the right.
And from last Monday, August 21. It was eight weeks from hatching to flight. Marie is on the extreme right, still watching over her seven remaining babies. Hen mallards make terrific moms!
All we can hope for now is that every offspring has found a pond or other body of water with food. I can only imagine how they felt when they were first able to swim at great length, duck and dabble under water, do zoomies, hunt for food, and take to the air on their mighty wings. They’re doing what natural selection and their genes built them to do. If that means “happiness” for ducks, then they’re happy.
We are also a bit sad that they’re gone, but that’s far outweighed by the satisfaction of Team Duck in knowing that we saved every one, and that we did our job well.
Thanks to the other members of the team, Marie and Gracemary, for sharing the hard work of tending these fowl. And thanks to the woman in charge of the dorm who, after asking us for help, cooperated with us to get food and water to the brood three times a week.
Thank you, Jerry and Team Duck, for bringing us along on this exciting adventure.
The hard work of the duck care team and your reporting with photos have been of great interest and pleasure to me. Thank you.
Time flies
You and your team must feel a bit like proud parents at graduation!
I’m sure you are hoping they do not plan on reunions each year.
Reunions are good; let’s just hope they pick a better venue next spring, like an actual pond!
Well, as the witches sorta said in the Scottish play, Fair is fowl, and fowl is fair.
Congratulations!
Hooray! You and Team Duck must be very pleased to know that you gave those ducklings the absolute best start in life.
Congratulations on launching the Dorm Ducks into the big wide world! You must be so proud! And, of course, thank you so much for sharing your adventures.
+1
Thanks and congratulations to you and Team Duck. Selfless devotion!
Kudos to all the work you and Team Duck put in to save the ducks. In today’s Hili you said you had some red wine for tonight- raise a glass to your success! 🥂
Bravo to all the team! In the midst of what seems like relentless bad news on so many fronts, here’s a positive, heartwarming story. Thanks and congratulations!
Great news! Thank you, Team Duck! Amazing work!
Wonder who you’ll get next year, and will they all go to the pond, or will some have heard about the sweet little exclusive setup to be had upstairs?